So, do these anti-vaccination groups still exist today? Absolutely! In Australia, probably the most active lobby group is the Australian Vaccination Network (AVN). The AVN was formed in 1994 and at that time was called the Vaccine Awareness Network. It is a privately funded organisation whose so-called primary function is to provide parents of young children details about vaccines so they can then make an informed choice. This is the first sentence on their website homepage We believe it is a parent’s right to choose what’s best for their child…some would say that this is one of the most basic rules of any civilised society.

”We believe it is a parent’s right to choose what’s best for their child…some would say that this is one of the most basic rules of any civilised society.”

These are very carefully worded statements so that it is basically impossible to argue with even though you know there is an agenda. Every parent wants the best for their child, so if I don’t agree with what the AVN are saying then I am a bad parent.